Damian Willemse helped off the field against the Waratahs. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
There were raised eyebrows when the Stormers decided to loan George Whitehead from Griquas as extra flyhalf depth in this year’s Super Rugby campaign.
Now that decision looks pretty prudent.
Paul Feeney, the Cape franchise’s assistant coach, on Monday revealed that the team would have to delve into that reserve fund because Damian Willemse is unlikely to play against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
The 19-year-old pivot, considered a prodigy for his brilliant attacking play, injured his quad in last weekend’s last-gasp 27-34 loss to the Waratahs.
“It was quite a heavy knock and we will know in the next 48 hours whether he will be able to play against the Crusaders,” said Feeney.
“Let’s put it this way, if we were playing the game on Thursday he definitely would not be able to play, so we are really unsure at this stage.”
Robert du Preez’s switch to Durban and the persistent injuries sustained by Jean-Luc du Plessis made Whitehead’s recruitment almost essential even before Willemse’s injury but there will be reservations about him anyway.
The 28-year-old has previous Super Rugby experienced with the Kings and Cheetahs but is known for being merely solid rather than spectacular.
Feeney though is more than willing to let Whitehead start from a blank page.
“Obviously Damian is our preferred starting flyhalf but we have confidence in George and I thought he did okay against the Waratahs,” said the New Zealander.
“There was not one person that made a difference to that result. I thought he did a reasonable job and although he hasn’t played much Super Rugby he does boast quite a lot of experience.”
A more radical option would be to employ Dillyn Leyds in the No 10 jersey.
That seems unlikely though given the fact that Stormers are playing a game where self-preservation might be more of a target than a victory.
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